A grim reminder
Re: "Lessons from 'Moo Deng' ", (Editorial, Sept 17).
The fate of the imprisoned Bua Noi, the grand dowager of animal superstars, who is a gorilla, that has been caged in a penthouse zoo at Pata Shopping Complex for over three decades, is overlooked in this article.
The editorial states that the efforts of Khao Kheow Open Zoo's public relations team reflect the attempt by Thai public zoos to modernise themselves by promoting wildlife, and environmental conservation and education.
This attempt is most certainly not evident in the miserable case of Bua Noi, the gorilla.
Debates get heated
Re: "Moderation, please", (PostBag, Sept 17), & "Toxic comments", (PostBag, Sept 14).
Kuldeep Nagi's argument for moderation in the comments made about others slides irrationally from PostBag to online forums and social media in general, then back to PostBag.
The editor of PostBag can only be held responsible for what it published in the letters column.
I cannot speak for online and social media in general, but I believe that writers of letters to PostBag must expect to be challenged by those with different views, especially when sources quoted in support of arguments are considered suspect.
In these cases, correspondents are right to point out discrepancies in citing sources and calling out the credibility of the original letter writers.
Apart from perhaps allowing some writers to repeat their viewpoints ad nauseum, the editor of PostBag does a good job of keeping it on an even keel.
PM vs central bank
Re: "BoT urged to reduce interest rate", (Business, Sept 17) & "Paetongtarn: Central bank independence 'an obstacle' ", (Business, May 3).
The country's new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has said that the Bank of Thailand's independence is an "obstacle" in resolving economic problems.
However, the International Monetary Fund describes quite succinctly why the PM should not be allowed anywhere near the Bank of Thailand, as "politicians face monetary temptations conflicting with an inflation-averse monetary policy".
The very nature of their position makes it impossible for politicians to be impartial to the short-term benefits of an expansive monetary policy. Politicians may also lack qualifications and expertise in the field.
By leaving it to the discretion of an independent central bank to conduct monetary policy, the focus can be on long-term stability rather than short-term monetary temptations.
Although there is no universally accepted legal framework that specifies the independence under which monetary policy is conducted, central bank independence is generally a feature of the bank's institutional structure, ensuring that stable and effective conduct of monetary policy is maintained.
Finally, it must be understood that central banks are privately owned and only nominally controlled by governments.
Thus, the whining by politicians over fiscal policy has little to do with real news and the central bank's policy committee members could care less about it.